Jim Bashaw was a beloved teacher, guidance counselor and longtime girls’ basketball coach at BFA St. Albans. After being diagnosed with brain cancer in February of 2000, he valiantly fought his illness until his death on August 16th of the same year.
Jim’s life and death affected not only his family and friends, but the entire community. To honor Jim’s memory, a fund was established to provide financial assistance to residents of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties who are experiencing an immediate, new catastrophic illness from cancer or other causes.
In 2000, the Maple Festival Sap Run, Relay, & Walk was dedicated to help raise funds to support Jim while he fought his illness. Jim’s family and the organizers of the event were amazed by the outpouring of support shown by the more than 700 walkers and runners who participated—and the countless others who sponsored participants or donated their time to organize the event. Over time, the Run for Jim resulted in its own event, held at Hard’ack Recreation Area each May, and now includes a run, a walk, and special races for kids.
Today, the fund is sustained by several community events and the generosity of individuals in our community.
Support this fund to help carry on Jim’s legacy!
Families often do not realize all of the costs that are encountered when a family member is ill. The fund can help provide financial assistance for items such as:
Requests for financial assistance for items not mentioned above will be considered if they are determined to be as a result of the health care problem. For an official, signed copy of the fund description, click here.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer or another catastrophic illness that will cause a financial burden on your family, and are a resident of either Franklin or Grand Isle Counties, you may be eligible to receive funds from The Jim Bashaw Cancer and Catastrophic Illness Fund. A member of the NMC Care Management team will work with you to explore all possibilities of how to support you financially during your illness. Sources of funding may include insurance benefits and entitlement programs, as well as the Jim Bashaw Fund.
Use the button above to complete an online application form. If you would like to use a paper application form, click here to download and print the PDF form.
Have questions about the fund or a recent application? Call 802-524-8913.
Community support
The Jim Bashaw Cancer & Catastrophic Illness Fund is sustained by the generosity of people, schools, businesses and organizations throughout Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. Since 2001, the fund has distributed more than $550,000 to local individuals and families facing cancer and other catastrophic illnesses.
The Run for Jim began in 2000, when the Maple Festival Sap Run, Relay & Walk was dedicated to supporting Jim Bashaw during his illness. More than two decades later, the annual event continues to bring runners, walkers and families together to honor Jim’s memory and help neighbors facing difficult circumstances.
Held each spring, the event includes a 5K run and walk, children’s activities, raffles, food, music and community gathering. Proceeds support Franklin and Grand Isle County residents with expenses related to cancer and catastrophic illness through the Jim Bashaw Fund. In 2025, the event raised $18,000 for the fund.
Each fall, students from MVU and BFA–St. Albans come together for their annual Powderpuff football game—a long-standing community tradition that has become much more than a football game. Students, coaches, volunteers, and community members work together throughout the year to raise funds through sponsorships, raffles, merchandise, and the game itself.
The event supports the Jim Bashaw Cancer & Catastrophic Illness Fund, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, and scholarships established in Jim’s name at both schools. In 2025, the event raised more than $44,000 for these community causes, reflecting the generosity and spirit of local students and families.
Nucar Ford St. Albans supports the Jim Bashaw Fund through its annual Nucar Cares campaign held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October. A portion of vehicle sales is donated to the fund, helping provide financial assistance to local individuals and families facing cancer and catastrophic illness.
Nucar’s ongoing partnership has become one of the fund’s largest annual sources of support, contributing $16,000 in 2024 and $17,200 in 2025.
The Jim Bashaw Fund also depends on the generosity of individuals in our community. Gifts can be made in memory of a loved one, in honor of someone who has faced cancer or catastrophic illness, or simply to help local individuals and families when they need it most.
Charitable gifts may be made through Northwestern Medical Center or given in lieu of flowers in memory of a loved one.
If you would like to make a contribution to the Jim Bashaw Cancer & Catastrophic Illness Fund, please call NMC’s Community Relations Department at 524-1280 or click the button below. Illness Fund, please call NMC’s Community Relations Department at 524-1280, or click the button below.